Apparatus for utilizing the current force of water



K' {No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

B. L. BRADY.

APPARATUS POR UTILIZING THE CURRENT FORGE OP WATER. No. 328,447. Patented Oct. 13', 1885. y;

' W ,f3 @gw/gw@ @Momwu M I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

E. L. BRADY. i APPARATUS PoR UTTLIZING THR CURRENT ToRcR 0T WATER.

No. 328,447. Patented Oct. 13, 1885.

Flc-n n I 'J E' Flam VMI] I CR/7221020 NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN L. BRADY, OF STAMF-ORD, CONN., ASSIGNOR TO THE RIVER AND RAIL ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY, OF OHIO COUNTY, VEST VIRGINIA. y

APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING THE CURRENT FORCE OF WATER.

SPECIFICATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 328,447, dated October 13,1885.

Application tiled July 17. 1855.

.To all whom .it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, EDWIN L. BRADY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stamford, in the county of Fairfield, in the State of Connecticut, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvementsin Apparatus for Utilizing the Current Force of Flowing \Vater, of which the following` is a specification.

My invention relates to that form ol` current- 19 motors in which the mechanical energy developed by the wheel is converted into electricalenergyand conveyedtoshore over l'leXible conductors, for which I have already applied for Letters Patent; and it has for its object to r5 promote uniformity and continuity in the work obtained by means of apparatus of this sort. The results obtained from these motors are likely to be constantly variable, because of the normal variations in the rapidity of the cur- 20 rents by which they are driven, and they are also subject to occasional interruptions where tidal currents are utilized, because of the recurring periods of slack waterin such currents. It must also at times happen that breaks in the operation of the apparatus will occur while the iioat is in process of movement from one position in the current to another, and also when the apparatus is stopped for repairs.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide means for overcoming the inequalities referred to in the work given off, and to provide power for continuing the work during the intervals of inaction of the motor due to failure of current or other causes; and for this 3 5 purpose I propose to make use of the principle of electrical storage, causing the dynamos on the iioats, when they are running at a high rate of speed under the influence of a strong iiow of Water, to charge secondary batteries, from 4o which currents may be drawn to re-enforce the current from the dynamos when the efficiency of the latter falls below normal or to replace that current when for any reason the dynamos are stopped.

Mygir vention embraces all the ways in which storage-batteries can be used to give uniform ity to a variable or intermittent current, a number of which are hereinafter referred to specifically. Ialso propose to utilize by this 5o means the power `exerted by flowing water at times when it cannot be immediately used, and

Serial No. 171,914. (Nomodol.)

would, unless used to charge batteries, run to waste.

My invention further consists in certain details of construction hereinafter set forth In the drawings, Figure I shows a currentmotor with storagebattery in circuit and circuit-connections. Fig. II shows the storagebattery on the float instead of on shore. Fig. III shows a storage-battery arranged iu sections, to provide for taking oflcurrents ofany desired tension.

A A are boats or floats of any desired description, securely fastened together by braces H I-I, and together forming a floating su pportfor the current-wheel R, mounted on shaft D, turning in bearings secured to the iioat. Motion-nuiltiplying apparatus E E' E2 E3 communicates motion from the shalt ot the wheel to the dynamo C, the float being heldin its 7d position by anchors I I, or ropes carried to piles or other fixed objects, and the wheel being propelled by the current ot` the stream. The current generated by the dynamo passes out and returns by the two wires K Ii contained in cable I.

The tank N is provided for holding a great length of surplus cable, to be used when it is necessary to shift the iioat from one position in the stream to another for the purpose ot' 8o utilizing the swiftest or most available part of the current. I suppose that in ordinary use on such rivers as the Mississippi, it will frequently be desirable to carry several miles of surplus cable for this purpose. 1 S

As an additional device for facilitating the handling of the cable, I provide a reel, O, over which the cable passes in being run out or drawn in. rIhis reel may be made small, and used merely to facilitate the movement 9o of the cable, or it may be made of such size as to carry a large quantity of cable, dispensing with the tank, if desired. The current from the wires contained in the cables passes to the main workingcircuit on shore, containing lights, motors, or other translating devices.

The electrical connections of the battery S are such that by proper manipulation of the circuit-closers it may be placed in multiple arc with the working-circuit, as shown in the roo drawings, or in series with the dynamo and the working-circuit, orin circuit with the dynamo, the working-circuit being cut out, or in the working-circuit, the dynamo being cut out; or it may be itself cut out of circuit altogether. When the circuit-closersp q r w are closed, and the circuit-closer t is open, as shown in the drawings, the battery is in the first position-that is, in multiple are with the working-circuit. When the circuit-closers p, r, and c are closed and q and w are open, the battery is in its second or series position. Then p and o are open and q, @pand 'to closed, the battery is in circuit with the dynamo,and the working-circuit is cut out. \Vhen. q and c are open and p, r, and w closed, the battery is in the working-circuit with the dynamo cut out. Finally, when r and lv are open, with pv and q closed, the dynamo is in the workingcircuit with the battery cut out. Vhen in l[he first position-L'. c., iu a shunt from the main circuit--the resistances should be so adjusted that the storage-battery will receive a charge only when the current generated by the dynamo is in excess of the normal demands of the working-circuit,and will tend to discharge and re-enforce the current in the working-circuit when thelatter falls below its normal strength. Its operation will therefore be to promote uniformity in the working-current within certain limits of variation.

It will obviously be necessary in this arrangement to use an automatic cut-out for preventing the short-circuiting of the battery through the coils of the dynamo in case the electro-motive force ofthe dynamo should at any time fall below that ofthe battery.

Another mode of using the battery in shunt would be to place in it an automatic circuitcloser, which should operate to close the shunt only when the current given ofi' by vthe dynamo is above normal. Excess of current could in this way be stored up for use when needed and thrown into the working-circuit as desired.

When in the second position-i. e.,in series between the dynamo and working-circuit--the battery should be combined with some one ofthe automatic reversing devices in common use, whereby when the current of the dynamo falls to a certain point :it may be re-enforced by a discharge from the battery.

It may be desirable to throw the whole current ofthe dynamo into the battery, as in the third position, at times when the demand of the working-circuit is suspended,for the purpose of storing up electricity for future use,and it may be necessary when the dynamo is inactive, as during slack water in a tidal current, 1o operate the working-circuit entirely from the battery, as in the fourth position.

Another obvious application of my invention is to charge the batteries from the circuit of the dynamo, either upon shore or upon the lioa-t, and transport them charged to the point of utilization, using them, for instance, to furnish light for, or to propel, vessels traveling upon the stream.

It will frequently be desirable to have the storage-batteries used arranged in sections with such electrical connections that a current of any required tension may be taken therefrom. rlhis will be particularly useful where the distance between the dynamo and the storage-battery is great and a low tension-current is Arequired in the working-circuit. I have illustrated this arrangementin Fig Ill.

Vhile I have thus shown several ways in which a storage-battery may beof service in connection with a dynamo electric machine driven by a current motor, my invention is not coninedto these methods or any of them, and I have not attempted to enumerate all which might be devised, and I wish it understood that my invention includes all possible adaptation ofthe storage principle to electrical currents generated by dynamos driven in this way.

Vhile I have shown the dynamo as driven by a water-wheel, I do not limit myinvention to a motor of that description, it being immaterial whether that or some other form of water-power mechanism is used.

I claiml. The combination of a water-power mechanism, a floating support therefor anchored or otherwise secured in the stream, a dynamoelectric machine mounted on said Alioating support and driven by said water-power mechanism, electrical conductors for conveying the currentgenerated by the dynamo to shore, a working-circuit containing electrical translating devices, and astorage-battery in circuit with the dynamo, whereby regularity of the working current is maintained, substantially as described and shown.

2. The combination of awater-power mechanism, a iioatin g su pport therefor anchored or otherwise secured in the stream, a dynamoelectric machine mounted on said support and driven by said water-power mechanism, electrical conductors for conveying the current of the dynamo to shore, a working-circuit coutaining electrical translating devices, and a storage -battery with electrical connections, whereby it may be thrown into or out of circuit, as required, to maintain the continuity and regularity of the working-current, substantially as described and shown.

3. rIhe combination of a water-powermechanism, a floating support therefor anchored or otherwise fixed in the stream, a dynamo-electric machine mounted on said support and driven by said water-power mechanism, electrical conductors for conveying the current generated by the dynamo to shore 'for the performance of work, and a storage-battery in circuit between the dynamo and the workingcircuit and located upon the iloatiug support, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth. l

t 4. 'Ihe combination of a water-power mechanism, a iioating support therefor anchored or otherwise fixed in the stream, a dynamo-electric machine mounted on said support and driven by said water-power mechanism, elec- ICO trical conductors for conveying the current generated by the dynamo to shore, and astorage-battery and electrical connections therefor, whereby it may be thrown into and taken out of the circuit of the dynamo at will.

5. The combination of a water-power mechanism, a floating support therefor anchored or otherwise fixed in the stream, a dynamo-electric machine mounted on said support and driven by said Water-power mechanism, and a storage battery and electrical connections therefor, whereby it may be thrown into or ont of circuit with the dynamo at will, said storage battery and connections being also located upon the float-ing support.

6. The combinationl of a dynamo-electric machine mounted upon and driven bya floating current-motor,and provided with a flexible electric conductor for conveying its current to distant fixed points for utilization with storage-batteries arranged in sections in the circuit ofthe dynamo, and provided with workingcircuits and electrical connections, whereby currents of varying degrees of tension, as desired, may be taken from the said batteries for the performance of work, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination of a water-power mechanism, a floating support therefor anchored or otherwise secured in the stream, a dynamoelectric machine mounted on said support and driven by said water-power mechanism, electrical conductors forconveying the current generated by the dynamo to the shore, aworkingcircuit connected with said conductors, and a storage-battery in multiple arc with said working-circuit, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

8. The combination of a waterpower mechanism, a iioating support therefor anchored or otherwise secured in the stream, a dynamoelectric machine mounted on said support and driven by said water-power mechanism, electrical conductors for conveying the current generated bythe dynamo to shore, a workingcircuit connected with said conductors, a storage-batteryin multiple arc with said workingcircuit, and a circuit-breaker in the branch circuit passing through the storage battery, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination of a water-power mechanism, a floating support therefor anchored or otherwise secured in the stream, a dynamoelectric machine mounted on said support and driven by said water-power mechanism, electrical conductors for conveying the current generated by the dynamo to shore, a workingcircuit connected with said conductors, a storage-battery in multiple arc with said workingcircuit, and three circuit-breakers, one in the storage-battery branch and one on each side thereof in the main circuit, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

l0. The combination ofa water-power mechanism, a floating support therefor anchored or otherwise secured in the stream, a dynamoelectric machine mounted on said support and driven by said water-power mechanism, conducting -cables for conveying the electricity generated by said dynamo to shore, and a tank on said fioat for receiving a reserve coil of said cable.

l l. The combination of a water-power mechanism, a floating support therefor anchored or otherwise secured in the stream, a dynamoelectric machine mounted on said support and driven by said water-power mechanism, conducting cables for conveying the electricity generated by said dynamo to shore, a tank on said float for receiving a reserve coil of said cable, and a reel for readily running the cable on and off the float.

l2. The combination of a water-power mechanism, a floating support therefor, a dynamoelectric machine mounted on said support and driven by said power mechanism, a cable for carrying the current ofsaid generator to shore, and a reel for carrying a part of said cable and running it on and off the float. i

EDVIN L. BRADY.

\Vitnesses:

F. F. RANDOLPH, M. H. PHELrs. 

